With so many cookbooks flooding the market, authors are always looking for a unique hook to pull readers towards their compilations. In The Desperate Housewives Cookbook: Delicious Dishes from Wisteria Lane, the appeal of the main characters (and supporting roles) that have made this evening soap opera hit is the device used to do just this. The good news is that readers who select this book solely for its association with this program will not be disappointed, since the cookbook includes masterful photographs of the characters as well as a diverse collection of wonderful recipes that offers something for everyone - even those who live in total isolation and have no knowledge of the highly-rated evening drama.

The book showcases the main characters - Bree, Susan, Gabrielle, Lynette, and Edie - along with the Wisteria Lane neighbors Mrs. Huber, Mike, Felicia, and Mrs. McCluskey. The recipes in each section are tied to the characteristics of each of the roles. For example, it is surmised that Bree, the high-maintenance homemaker, would likely indulge in such treats as cucumber-dill butter finger sandwiches or braised duck. Susan is a bit more traditional, so her tastes would be more consistent with a newfangled casserole, foolproof macaroni and cheese, or garlic mashed potatoes. Fans of Gabrielle’s sultry nature would expect her to prepare Mexican hot chocolate, or perhaps a sweet and tangy chicken stir fry. Lynette, the mother of twins, would be drawn to kid-friendly meals such as French Toast for Breakfast (or Dinner) with Blueberry Syrup, Old-School Buttered Noodles, or Babysitting Cookies. And, finally, Edie would likely perfect the Oysters Poached in Champagne and Cream or a Molten Chocolate Cake. The friendly neighbors are, not surprisingly, linked with a range of desserts such as the Date Nut Bread, Double Whammy Chocolate Pudding, or Peanut Brittle.

The recipes are presented upon glossy pages, highlighting both the beauty of the housewives and their creations. The instructions are user-friendly, and the photographs add to the book’s visual appeal. Cookbook trivia is also dispersed throughout the cookbook, such as the fact that cake mixes initially required only the additional of water, but since women felt this was not sufficient “effort” to label the final product home-made, the mix was re-vamped to require the addition of eggs, oil and water.

Regardless of whether you are selecting this cookbook because of your interest in the program’s characters or because you are looking for some new culinary treats, The Desperate Housewives Cookbook will effortlessly meet your needs.